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Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce today signed an economic partnership agreement with the Yangquan region of China in a bid to make it easier for local companies to do business in the Far East. 

The agreement enables the Chamber to work closely with the Yangquan branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to help firms in both countries develop trading relationships. It follows a CCPIT delegation visit to Chesterfield earlier this year.

Yangquan, the first city created by the Chinese Communist Party, is located in the Shanxi province of China. Its industrial heritage is based primarily on the mining of coal, minerals and aluminium. 

The partnership document was signed by Chamber President Richard Wilkins in the UK and Zhang Chi, President of the CCPIT in China, via a live video conference link between the two countries.

It is hoped that the international trade agreement between the two organisations will help make it easier for local firms to business with their Chinese counterparts. The agreement aims to promote:

* Exchange of economic and commercial information and the publication of business opportunities

* The organisation (in both countries) of business partnerships, inward/outward visits and other events to promote the two regions

* Cooperation on Chinese/UK projects across all sectors

* Assistance in providing consultancy services to facilitate trade and investment between members of the Chamber and the CCPIT

* Participation in activities promoted within the UK and Chinese networks    

* Promotion of a mutual events programme for Chamber and CCCPIT members

* Other means of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

David Hood, the Chamber's head of international trade, said: "Relations between the UK and China have never been closer or better and the signing of this economic partnership agreement is testament to that.

"China is one of the great economic success story of the past 30 years. Well known for its manufacturing capability, which produces goods on a truly global scale, it is also the world's largest consumer of iron, steel, coal and cement and the synergies between its industrial heritage and profile and the business landscape in this particular part of the UK makes this economic partnership extremely relevant to Chamber members.

"The business sectors in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and Yangquan are closely aligned and I'm sure that there are a wide range of areas of mutual interest for  members of our respective organisations, and this partnership will help both sides to assist businesses in making the most of the opportunities on offer."

The East Midlands China Business Bureau, which is part of East Midlands Development Agency (emda), has also played a key role in making the arrangements for the visit, helping in discussions between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Yangquan, and providing translation services.

Speaking about the agreement, David Wallace, International Director at emda, said: "This economic partnership agreement will help businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to establish trading links with China.

"A number of businesses in the East Midlands are already benefitting from work that we have undertaken with Chambers of Commerce and have found new customers and suppliers in China.

"We have also seen significant investment in the region following other agreements that have been signed. Only last month, the Chinese car manufacturer Changan, opened a major new research and development facility in Nottingham after a memorandum of understanding was signed with Chongqing Municipality. I am sure that the agreement with Yangquan will lead to many other exciting developments over the coming years."

For more information about the services provided by the East Midlands China Business Bureau, visit www.eastmids-china.co.uk, or telephone 0115 988 8505.

For details about the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.dncc.co.uk.